CSI Shabbat Morning Services - What to Expect at This Phase

As the congregation is increasingly vaccinated, the relative safety of gathering together in person is increasing as well. It will take some time until we are all able to access the vaccine, and there will always be some risk in gathering together in person. We encourage everyone to schedule a vaccine appointment as soon as you are able. We are not checking on your vaccine status in order to attend our prayer services. Our safety protocols assume the possibility that somebody is an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19. For many, this will fall within their current risk tolerance.

For the latest, detailed update on Shearith Israel's COVID-19 protocols, click the button below. The following policies are effective as of Thursday, July 29, 2021:

• For the time being, we are asking all people to wear masks for all indoor gatherings at Shearith Israel.
• We still intend to have in-person, full capacity, traditional indoor and alternative outdoor services for the High Holidays this year. There will still be a live-stream option for the indoor traditional service.
• We are not requiring pre-registration or limiting capacity for any service.
• We still intend to move forward with in-person religious school to be held primarily outdoors, and as before, universal masking indoors.
• No masks are required for outdoor gatherings.
• Those leading services and reading Torah are exempted from mask wearing while leading if they are vaccinated. 
• As with all COVID-related policies, we will continue to monitor public health direction and make decisions with the support of our medical committee as needed.

What to Expect at this stage:

Before you arrive Shabbat morning

• If you are experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19, or if you have an increased risk of being an asymptomatic carrier because of a known or possible exposure, please do not come in person.

Upon arrival to Shearith Israel

• Hand sanitizer is provided for your convenience at the two entrances - Courtyard and Parking Lot Doors. 
• Face coverings are required for all attendees who are not fully vaccinated at this phase at all times in the building. Please arrive wearing appropriate face coverings that cover both the nose and mouth, with no exhalation vents. If you come without a face covering, a surgical style mask will be provided for you on arrival.
• If you are fully vaccinated, masks and social distancing are optional.
• There will be a designated section in the Sanctuary (the far side) allocated for those who prefer to continue social distancing. Masks are required in this section.

During the service 

• If you have an honor, such as an aliyah or ark opening, Rabbi Kaiman or the service leader will direct you where to stand and participate. We do our best to pre-assign all honors to maintain the flow of the service.
• During this phase, we continue to treat the virtual space as if it were in-person. A large screen television is connected to a computer and camera at the lower bima. Virtual participants from time to time will be called to Aliyot, read from the Torah, and participate as if they were in-person. 
• Please be mindful that not everyone is comfortable with physical touching, handshaking or hugging at this stage.  

After the service

• At this time there will not be a Kiddush lunch served. We look forward to the return of Kiddush in August.